The Echoes of "41 Shots":Springsteen and His American Skin

To say that Springsteen is exploiting the racial tension in New York City to make money is as ridiculous as believing that "Born In The USA" was an appropriate Republican anthem. Sure, Springsteen may be a "limousine liberal" as has been accused - but how could he be otherwise? The man is worth millions, after all, but having money and having a social conscience are not always, thank God, mutually exclusive.

Nor is the song indication that the Boss is anti-cop. After all, to find fault in this excessive overreaction (or the similar under-reaction to the recent "wolf pack" attacks in Central Park) does not make someone anti-cop, just as being horrified at the My Lai massacre does not make one anti-servicemen. Fans will quickly point out that Springsteen has done benefit concerts for the families of slain cops but, that aside, you need only listen to the words of "American Skin." "Forty-one shots they cut through the night; You're kneeling over his body in the vestibule, praying for his life," is perhaps the most haunting image of the piece, the image of a policeman realizing his mistake, already regretting his actions as he kneels in blood and asks for heavenly intervention.

I've always thought that the best artists produce more than beautiful pictures, humorous essays or songs we can dance to. The best artists - the truly gifted - are the ones who can produce art that acts as a mirror for the rest of us; whose work can reflect back for our enjoyment or our enlightenment just what a piece of life is about. And, even though Bruce has always reflected the good life to us - the hot girls and hotter cars, the Jersey shore carousels and front street drag races, the camaraderie and companionship, the growing up and getting out - he has also been responsible enough, committed enough and gifted enough to reflect more. He's told us that there's more to life than shiny sports cars and loud guitars. Sometimes there's prejudice and anger and "a meanness in this world," and if you're not sure where to find it, maybe it's time you take a look in the mirror.

Springsteen has always used his music to reflect the human condition and American society. Between dancing in the dark and racing in the streets, Springsteen has reminded us of the forgotten Vietnam veterans ("Born in the USA"), unwed

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